R. A. Kartini designed this teakwood jewelry box as a wedding gift for Mary Fortuyn Drooglever and Geldoph Adriaan Abendanon (the Javanese letters on the lid are spelled "Ma-Ri").
📷: Feri Latief at Museum R. A. Kartini Rembang, Central Java
📷: Feri Latief at Museum R. A. Kartini Rembang, Central Java
Rumah Kartini studied Kartini's letters to Rosa Manuel Abendanon-Mandri to uncover the true nature of the box, which had been called "Kartini's sewing kit box" before. The box is adorned with wayang characters on the surface and inside of the lid, complete with satin interior.
The characters that adorn the lid might be Kangsadewa and Kakrasana. Meanwhile, the characters on the inner part of the lid might be Srikandi and Sembadra. The lid also has small cloud patterns as "frame", perhaps showing the Chinese art influence.
According to M. Afif Isyarobbi, founder of Rumah Kartini (a community that studies historical archives and artworks in Japara/Jepara), Kartini was inspired by the carvings and ornaments on Senen Gong, Japara's old houses, and Mantingan Mosque.
Source: "Teka-teki Kotak Kartini", National Geographic Indonesia, April 2018 edition, by Mahandis Yoanata Thamrin.
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